Wire or strip tensioning apparatus



, April 21, 1942. D. E. LEWELLEN ETAL. 2 9

WIRE OR STRIP TENSIONING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1940 Sheets-Sheet l mz/v ms mama/[um A TTOR/VfYS April 21, 1942. D, E. LEWELLEN ET AL WIRE OR STRIP TENSIONING APPARATUS 7 Filed April 15, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 m. L 35a M/VH/TM'S UARCY E. lEk/ELLE/V- BY [HMO/V5 E ZEWEILEW' ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 15, 1940 D. E. LEWELLE N ET AL WIRE OR STRIP TENSIONING APPARATUS A ril 21, 1942.

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Patented Apr. 21, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WIRE 0R STRIP TEN SIONIN G APPARATUS Darcy E. Lewellen and Emmons F. Lcwcllen, Columbus, Ind.

Application April 15, 1940, Serial No. 329,704

19 Claims.

The present invention relates to winding and reeling apparatus and more particularly to devices for winding material in strip or wire form onto a storage roll to which it is delivered at constant speed.

When material in strip or wire form is being wound on a drum, reel, spool, or other storage roll and such material is being delivered to the roll at a predetermined speed, the increase in diameter of the wound mass on the roll tends to cause the material to be wound faster than it is being delivered with the result that as the diameter of the wound mass increases the material being delivered to the drum or roll will be subjected to an increased tension or pulling f strain.

The primary object of the present invention is to store long lengths of material by winding and rewinding under controlled conditions.

A further object is to provide improved means for controlling the operating conditions of a wire or strip working process in terms of the speed and tension of the wire or strip as it is being delivered either to or from the processing machine.

Another object is to provide a closer regulation of the speed and tension control over the regulation offered by prior art machines and particularly where the operations are continuously variable and in the same direction.

A more specific object is to provide a novel means for controlling the speed of rotation of the drum or roll by which the speed of rotation is decelerated as the diameter of the wound mass increases or vice versa so as to maintain a substantially constant tension on the material being delivered to or from the drum or roll.

The foregoing objects are attained, in brief, by. providing a means for rotating the drum or roll through a variable speed transmission which has a power shaft, an output shaft and a variable speed driving connection between the shafts, together with an improved means controlled by the tension of the strip or wire being delivered to or from the drum or roll for adjusting this variable speed driving connection so as to main tain a speed of rotation of the drum which will provide at all times the desired tension on the material being delivered to or from the drum.

Other objects and features will be apparent after the specification is perused in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the improved constant tension winder;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the driving mechanism for the winding machine, including the variable transmission for the storage roll of material;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the motor which actuates the driving mechanism shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 3 showing the operation of the balancing weight and the handle control mechanism on the motor which drives the variable transmission;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the contactor forming a part of the driving mechanism;

Figure 6 is a composite view shown in exaggerated form to bring out the details of the component switch parts of the contactor shown in Figure 5 with the parts in typical corresponding positions. The various parts of this figure, labelled section BB; section D-D; section CC and section E-E, are views taken along sectional lines of corresponding letter in Figure 5;

Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to section D-D in Figure 6 but showing the successive positions. assumed by the different parts as the actuating shaft is rotated;

Figure 9 is a circuit diagram showing the connections between the electric mains, the pilot motor and the main source of mechanical power, together with a switch mechanism for controlling the operation of the pilot motor.

An unwind roll I of strip material 2 upon which work is to be performed in process is mounted upon shaft 3 in stand 4. The shaft 3 may be free turning to permit strip 2 to be pulled into work performing machine 5, or may include a drag brake G to prevent the unwind roll from overrunning, or may be power driven to control tension in strip 2 between the unwind roll I and the work performing machine 5 by means of an additional driving mechanism 1, as the process requires.

The work performing machine 5 is power operated by motor 8. Where strip 2 is processed over a range of linear speeds, power is supplied over a range of operating speeds by means of the variable speed transmission 9, wherein speeds are adjusted manually by handwheel H). For convenience, a panel ll mounting controlling devices for driving mechanism 1 may be mounted at machine 5. In process with work performing machine 5 is a rewind roll l2 for storing strip 2 leaving machine 5. Storage roll l2 mounts on and rotates with shaft l3 carried by stand l4.

Driving mechanism 1 power operates storage roll I2 by suitable means, as sprockets I5 and I6 and chain H, at speeds which are adjusted for the linear delivery of strip 2 from machine 5 at rates to permit the storage roll I'2 to build up in diameter under a constant tension in strip 2 between machine 5 and storage roll I2. The driving mechanism 1 consists of a constant speed power source I3 connecting by suitable means, as sheaves I9 and 29 and ropes 2I, to input shaft 22 of variable speed transmission 23. Output shaft 24 of variable speed transmission 23 carries sprocket I5 described above. The driving mechanism includes tension controlling means to be described further.

Input shaft 22 and output shaft 24 each mount cone discs 25 in pairs, engaging with edge active belt 26. Discs 25 are connected by thrust bearings 21 to levers 28. Levers 28 are pivoted at 2 9 and connected by nuts 30 to speed changing screw 3I. By revolving screw 3| ratio of speeds between input shaft 22 and output shaft 24 is varied. The pilot motor 32 is equipped with brake 33 and gear head 34 and connected by coupling 35 to speed changing screw 3 I.

The constant speed power source I3, preferably a motor, is mounted by flanges 33 and 42 fastened to motor frame or stator 3'l carried by bearings 38, preferably a self-aligning type. Bearings 38 are located by pedestals I57 and 33. Bearings 33 are concentric with but are not connected to motor shaft 33. Motor shaft 33,1ooated by bearings 40 and carrying rotor 44, is the conventional construction. Pedestals I51 and 43 are supported upon brackets 45 carried by frame 44 of variable speed transmission 23. Adjustable stops 46 at flange 42 for engaging bumper 41 at pedestal 43 limits free rotation of stator 31 to a few degrees. The flange member 42 is secured to the stator member 31.

The screw 48 threaded through lugs 49 at flange 36 carries weight 50 at one end and handwheel 5| at the other. By manually operating handwheel 5|, screw 43, weight 53, and handwheel 5I, may be positioned to counterbalance any predetermined reaction of stator 31. By turning handwheel 5I to extend screw 43 to its extreme left position, the moments of the weights counterbalance the torque reaction of stator 31 for motor I8 full load capacity.

Rotor M and shaft 39 rotate on bearings 43. Stator 31 is suspended concentrically with shaft 39, but independently by bearings 33. Shaft 39 may extend in either direction through adjacent bearing 38 to carry sheave I9, but does not engage bearing 38. Link 52 is pivoted to flange 42 by pin 53. The other end of link 52 is pivoted to lever 54 by pin 55. The other end of lever 54 is fastened to operating shaft 56 of contactor 51.

With driving mechanism 1 running under load, any deviation from load setting tilts stator 31. This motion is transmitted to rotate contactor shaft 56 in one direction or the other. Contactor shaft 56 carries four sets of insulated electrical contacts shown at B-B, CC, DD, and E-E. Contactor frame 58 carries four sets of insulated electrical contacts, preferably of the conventional double-break type. At the inoperative, or normally open position of contactor 51, contact separation at 59 is spaced Wider for sets BB and (3-0 than for sets DD and E-E, so that rotation of shaft 56 will engage contacts at E-E before CC, or DD before B-B. Sets BB, CC, and E--E are constructed so that rotation of shaft 56 in excess of the amount required to engage contacts will maintain contact engagement until shaft 56 returns to the position at which contacts engaged, in the following manner:

The arm 63 is keyed to shaft 56. Bar BI is pivoted to arm 66 by pin 62. Bar BI carries contact element 63 of sufiicient length to engage the two contacts 64 and 61 carried by frame 58. With contacts disengaged, bar 3| is positioned by spring 65 and stop 66. When rotation of shaft 56 engages element 63 with contacts 34 and 31, further rotation compresses spring 65. Compression of spring 65 maintains contact engagement until reversal of rotation of shaft 56 returns to disengage contacts at the position where this engagement previously occurred.

As will be described hereinafter, contact engagement at B-B or CC obtains continuous operation of pilot motor 32 in one or the other direction of rotation, to provide a rapidly increasing or decreasing rate of rotation of output shaft 24. The contact engagement at D--D 01' EE causes repeated incremental operation of the pilot motor 32 to provide slight, gradual speed adjustments.

At a given speed of the roll shaft I3 during the windup of strip 2 at storage roll I2, assuming the proper tension in the strip as determined by the manual adjustment at handwheel 5|, the further wrapping at the storage roll I2 increases its diameter and the peripheral speed of the roll, and increases the tension in strip 2 between the machine 5 and storage roll I2. In the direction the strip 2 approaches storage roll I2, shafts I3, 24, 22 and 39 rotate counterclockwise. Since the position of weight 50 no longer counterbalances the increased load on power motor I8, the stator 31 rotates clockwise, raising weight 50, and rotating shaft 56 of contactor 51 in the direction to engage contacts If the responding incremental speed adjustments are insufficient to restore the tension setting, rotation of the contactor shaft 56 will continue, and engage contacts 0-0 to obtain a rapid speed adjustment.

It will be observed that slight deviations in load setting recur frequently during the normal rcwind of strip 2 at storage roll I2. But there may also occur unpredictable, possibly sudden changes under actual operation, for example, sticking or momentary stoppage of strip 2 through machine 5. The operation of contactor 51 provides for both the slight and the wider, and possibly more rapid deviations in tension.

The effect of the responding speed adjustments will stop further clockwise rotation of stator 31, as described heretofore. Its rotation now reverses and the stator 31 returns to the balanced position. In effect, the stator 31 has oscillated slightly from its balanced position during the period of deviation from the load setting. The speed adjustment thus obtained will become sufficient to correct the accumulated error when the rotation of stator 31 reverses and starts returning to its initial position. But the contact sets B-B, CC, and EE still maintain engagement and continue the speed adjustment until the return-to-balance reaches the slight deviation at which point the contacts had engaged, and now disengage.

For wider deviation within the range of the setting of contacts B-B and C-C, the effect is to shorten the interval of off-balance by increasing the amount of rapid adjustment to not only correct the error in rate but to assimilate the accumulated amount of error.

Where the driving mechanism 1 operates to control the tension of the strip or wire being wound on the storage roll I2, these slight, frequently recurring deviations are normally in the same direction because the diameter at the storage roll is conis maintained. In case the deviations are largelyin the same direction during normal operation, speed decreasing adjustments to lessen tension sufliciently in excess of demand will unbalance the setting enough to lower weight 50 from its balanced position and engage contact set DD.

In practice, a decrease in thickness of strip 2 will have the same effect. It will be observed that such an error is only momentary inasmuch as the continuously increasing diameter at the storage roll I2 will shortly demand further speed decreasing adjustments. Instead of maintaining the contact at DD, provision is made for disengagement of this contact as quickly as the speed increasing adjustments have assimilated the accumulated amount of error.

The arm 68 is keyed to the shaft 56. The link 12 is pivoted to arm 68 by the pin 14 and positioned by spring 13 against the stop 8I on arm 68. The bar 19 is pivoted to link 12 by the pin 80. The drag 16 is pivoted to link 12 by the pin 15. The frictional engagement of drag 16 is applied by spring 18 along quadrant 82 of bar 19. The counterclockwise rotation of shaft 56 swings arm 68 and link 12 and bar 19 to engage element 69 with contacts 10 and H carried by the frame 58 of contactor 51. Further rotation of shaft '56 continues contact engagement by frictional lift of drag 16 against quadrant 82. Reversal of rotation of shaft 56 releases contact engagement by lowering bar 19. Continued clockwise rotation of shaft 56 will cause the bar 19 to engage the stop 83 carried by contactor frame 58, and causes the drag 16 to slip along the quadrant 82 of bar 19 until the drag member strikes stop 11 on the quadrant 82. This is the mid or inoperative position of shaft 56. The contact element 69 is now reset to the closely spaced position 59 for reengagement. Clockwise rotation of the shaft 58 from mid position to engage speed decreasing contacts, compresses the spring 13. Compression of the spring 13 maintains the bar 19 and link 12 positions by engaging the stops 83 and 11. The arm 68 rotates with shaft 56 while the link 12 pivots at pin 14.

The starting switch 84 connects driving mechanism 1 to the power line by leads 85, 89, and 81 to the power motor I8, and leads 88, 89 and 90 to the panel I I. The pilot motor 32 connects with panel II by the leads 9|, 92, and 93. Contactor 51 connects with panel II by the leads 94, 95, 96, and 91.

The panel II carries a solenoid-operated reversing switch indicated generally at 98 and a motor-operated timer indicated generally at 99.

The reversing switch 98 comprises two 4-pole contactors with normally open contacts and a mechanical interlock, all of conventional design. The timer 99 consists of a motor I with an output shaft I 0| running at a suitable speed.

.The shaft IOI carries a multipoint cam I02. The

speed of the motor shaft and the number of cam points may be changed, as desired, to provide regularly spaced intervals to suit operating conditions. The follower I03 engages cam I02 and pivots on pin I04. Contact arm I05 pivots on follower I03 at pin I09. The screw I06 is threaded into arm I05. The spring IIO holds screw I06 in yielding engagement with stop III of follower I03. By turning the screw I06, the spacing I01 between contact I08 and arm I05 is adjusted to regulate length of contact engagement during each cam point interval. The timer motor I 00 is connected to run continuously while driving mechanism I is operating, through the following circuit: from the switch 84 through leads 90, and H4 to motor terminal H2, and from the motor terminal II3 through lead II1 back to the switch 84.

The engagement of set EE at contactor 51 obtains incremental speed adjustments at the variable speed transmission 23 through the following circuits: with the contacts engaged at EE, one of the contactors of reversing switch 98 is operated at the instant timer 99 circuit closes, as follows: from switch 84 through leads 90, H4, H8, arm I05, contact I08, leads 91 contact I20, element I2I, contact I22, lead 95 to the solenoid I26; from switch 84 through leads 89, H1 and I25 to the other side of the solenoid. The plunger I28 of solenoid I26 then closes the following circuits to operate the pilot motor 32; switch 84, leads 88 and I29, contact I30, element I3I, contact I32, leads I33 and 93 to pilot motor terminal I34, switch 84, leads 89 and I35, contact I36, element I31, contact I38, leads I39 and 92 to the pilot motor terminal I40, and switch 84, leads and I42, contact I43, element I44, contact I45, leads I46 and 9I to the pilot motor terminal I.

In like manner the circuit engagement for set D--D at the contactor 51 will operate the solenoid I41 for the other contactor of reversing switch 98, which, in turn, will operate the pilot motor 32. Reversal of the circuits to the pilot motor for reversing the direction of rotation is obtained by reversed interconnections I33 and I46 between the contactors of the reversing switch 98.

Once the reversing switch starts operation, the switch contacts are held in engagement until the circuit is opened at the timer bar I05 and contact I08, regardless of the circuit engagements or disengagements at contactor 51. A holding circuit is established for this purpose. Referring to the circuit described above for starting the operation of solenoid I26 and moving plunger I28 to close the contacts set forth, the circuit to solenoid I26 is now as follows: from the switch 84 through leads 90. H4, H8, bar I05, contact I08, leads I58 and I48, contact I49, element I50, contact I5I, and lead I52 to the solenoid I26; from the solenoid I26 through leads I25, H1, and 89 to the switch 84.

The contacts at contactor 51 might barely engage and only slightly separate. The arrangement described provides for only the initiating operation at the contactor 51. Breaking circuits at the timer 99 enables contact areas and pressures and separation to be regulated for minimum arcing and disintegrating of contact material. It prevents switch chatter and provides increments of speed adjustment in controlled definite amounts. The use of timer 99 provides these increments only at regularly spaced intervals 'which are controlled for the rate of diameter build-up at thestorage roll.

Where the incremental. adjustments are insufficient to restore tension setting as indicated for example by rotation of con'tactor shaft 56 to first engage the contact set E-E and with continued rotation to next engage set C--C, the operation of pilot motor 32 now becomes continuous, since the operation of solenoid I25 of reversing switch 98 is continuous until contact-disengagement of set CC. This circuit is as follows: from switch 84 through leads 90, H4, H8, 94 contact I53, element I54, contact I55, lead I23 to the solenoid I26; from "the solenoid IZB'through leads I25, H1, and 89 back to the switch 84. In like manner, the operation of pilot motor 32 is continuous in the reverse direction of rotation during engagement of set BB at contactor by the continuous operation of solenoid I41 of the other contactor of reversing switch 98.

It is evident from the circuit diagram of Figure 9, that the main function of the contact set C--C and the corresponding set B-B is to short circuit the timing device I62 whereby the current to the pilot motor 32 is applied continuously, and without interruption by the timing devicei When the tension on the wire or strip 2 is so unusual as to necessitate immediate and considerable adjustment in the speed of the storage roll, thus causing shaft 56 to rotate sumcient- 157 to close the contact set C-C (or the corresponding opposite set B-B under reverse conditions) the pilot motor continues to operate until the required changes in storage roll speed have been effected. However, under normal condi-- tions, only the contact set EE (or the corresponding opposite set DD) will be closed and the storage roll speed adjustments are effected intermittently through the timer I92.

It may be desirable to provide a magnetic brake, of any suitable and well-known type and indicated at I55, on the shaft of the pilot motor in order to prevent overrunning, hunting or surging. The electromagnetic element I56 of the brake may be energized from one of the phases of the electric mains through suitably positioned contacts of the switching mechanism as shown.

From the foregoing, it is evident that we have disclosed means for winding a strip of material onto a drum or spool and controlling the speed of the drum or spool so that a constant tension is maintained on the strip being wound. This is accomplished by providing a power source having a member whose position is affected by changes in the tension on the strip, and when this member changes its position it operates means which change the driving ratio of the power means operating the drum in whichever direction is necessary, i. e., faster or slower, so that constant tension is maintained. The predetermined tension on the strip is fixed in this case by adjusting the position of the weights 5I and 55 in rela tion to the center of the motor, as shown in Figure 3. When the tension changes for any reason, such for instance as the wire moving toward or away from the center of the spool, then if the rotary speed of the spool were constant the tension on the strip would increase as the wire moves toward the end of the spool, or decrease as it moves toward the center of the spool. These changes in tension cause the sensitive member to move, and through suitable mechanical and electrical connections decrease or'increase the speed of the drum to maintain the predetermined tension at which the control is then set to operate. While in most processes of this kind the material is fed to the spool at an approximately constant speed, these controls would operate just the same if there were varia tions in the feeding speed. To illustrate, if the feeding speed were increased or decreased, this would tend to reduce or increase the tension and cause the sensitive means to move, and through the various control parts change the drum speed to maintain the predetermined setting.

It will be observed that driving mechanism I may be applied as readily with equally satisfactory results to the unwind roll I in the manner described for its application to the rewind or storage roll I2. One of the two changes required for this different application would be to relocate contact set D-D in the position of set E-E, and set E-E in the position of set DD, inasmuch as the continuous and gradual reduction in diameter of unwind roll I would demand frequent repeated speed increasing adjustments. The other change would be to relocate weight Si! in the position of handwheel 5I on screw 53, and handwheel 5i in the position of weight 59.

The term driving mechanism as applied to the mechanism 7 for operating unwind roll I would not be quite accurate because this mechanism now becomes a brake mechanism, although it performs its function in the same manner described heretofore. Inasmuch as a power source I8 with constant speed characteristics is employed, power in whatever amount the operation demands, is applied to maintain rotation at the fixed speed of the power source. When the mechanism I is applied to the rewind roll IE it functions as a driver by operating the roll to draw sheet 2 at rates to apply a controlled increment of tension in strip 2 between the work performing machine 5 and rewind roll I2. The machine 5 draws strip 2 from the unwind roll E. When the mechanism 1 is applied to the unwind roll I free rotation of unwind roll I is resisted by operating unwind roll I at rates to impose a controlled increment of tension in strip 2 between the unwind roll and work performing machine 5.

The power source 58 does not resist rotation. Where a motor is employed, its electrical connections require rotation in the direction to the delivery strip 2 from the unwind roll I. But changing the function of the mechanism 1 changes the direction of the torque reaction. at stator 33?, and therefore requires reversing the location of the adjustable weight and handwheel 5i as described above. The setting of the weight determines the amount of the braking ef feet by operating the unwind roll I with mechanism 'I at rates to control the tension at the predetermined value.

The power source is not limited to the use of a motor. A turbine with constant speed characteristics, coupled to the input shaft of the variable speed transrnission is equally applicable. Likewise, the type of controlling devices. their construction and interconnection is only one oi several equally suitable arrangements that may be employed to advantage.

While there has been shown and described the application of the driving mechanism to storage rolls in connection with any work performing machine, it is understood that the application of the invention is not limited to this particular use. Obviously, the driving mechanism may be applied to any machine or process for operating upon work in control of some phase of the process, responsive in terms of power, speed, or tension.

It will be understood that we desire to comprehend within our invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at an approximate constant rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent on the tension of the strip, said mechanism being actuated by a motor, said motor having a portion in dependent of the rotor and which is adapted to move over a distance dependent on the amount of change of tension in the strip, and means actuated by the movement of said motor portion for changing the power transmission ratio of said transmission mechanism whereby the speed of the roll is changed in accordance with the changed tension of the strip.

2. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at an approximate constant rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent on the tension of the strip, said mechanism being actuated by a motor, the stator of which is adapted to move through an angle dependent on the amount of change of tension in the strip, and

means actuated by the angular movement of said stator for changing the power transmission ratio of said transmission mechanism whereby the speed of the roll is changed in accordance with the changed tension of the strip.

3. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at a constant rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent on the tension of the strip, said mechanism being actuated by the rotor of a motor which also includes a stator, said stator being mounted on a frame through a rotary bearing and adapted to receive rotational energy from said rotor when the tension on the strip changes from apredetermined value, and means actuated by the rotary movement of the stator on its bearing for changing the power transmission ratio of said transmission mechanism whereby the speed of the roll is changed to maintain the predetermined tension of the strip.

4. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at an approximate constant rate, said apparatus including avariable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent on the tension of the strip, said mechanism being actuated by the rotor of a motor which also includes a stator, said stator being mounted on a frame through a rotary bearing and adapted to receive rotational energy from said rotor when the tension on the strip exceeds a predetermined value, an adjustable counterbalancing device secured to said stator for determining the tension of the strip at which the stator will rotate, and means actuated by the rotary movement of the stator on its bearing for changing the power transmission ratio of said transmission mechanism whereby the speed of the roll is changed to maintain 7 the predetermined tension at which the counterbalanced stator rotates.

5. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at an approximate constant rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent upon the tension of the strip, said mechanism being actuated by the rotor of a motor which also includes a stator, said stator being mounted on a frame through a rotary bearing and adapted to receive rotational energy from said rotor when the tension on the strip exceeds a predetermined value, means for determining the tension of the strip at which the stator will be rotated, and means actuated by the rotary movement of the stator on its bearing for changing the power transmission ratio of said transmission mechanism whereby the speed of the roll is changed to maintain the tension at which the stator rotates.

6. An apparatus for winding material in strip or wire form which is being delivered at a predetermined rate, said apparatus comprising a main frame and a roll journaled on the main frame on which the material is wound, means for rotating the roll including a variable speed transmission having a power shaft, a transmission shaft and a variable speed driving connection between said shafts, a motor for driving said power shaft, and means for changing the power transmission ratio of said variable speed transmission in accordance with changes of tension of the strip which causes a drag on the motor as the strip is being wound on said roll, said means including mechanism by which the drag in the motor is translated into a mechanical movement and this movement affects the transmission ratio of said variable speed transmission whereby the power delivered to the transmission shaft by the power shaft is varied in accordance with the drag on the motor to maintain an approximate constant tension of the strip at the said roll.

7. An apparatus for winding material in strip or wire form which is being delivered at a predetermined rate, said apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a winding drum for receiving the strip and mounted on said frame, an auxiliary frame, a motor on said auxiliary frame for rotating the drum, including a power shaft, said motor having a rockable stator which swings in proportion to the tension of said strip as the latsaid drum, a transmission sion on said strip.

8. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at a predetermined rate, said apparatus including a varispeed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent upon the tension of the strip, a motor for actuating said mechanism, said motor having a rockable stator which swings in proportion to the tension of said strip as the latter is being wound on said drum, and means responsive to the rocking of said stator for intermittently changing the power transmission ratio of said mechanism in accordance with relatively smallchanges in the tension of said strip whereby the speed of the roll conforms closely to the tension of the wire.

9. An apparatus for winding strip or Wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at a predetermined rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent on the tension of the strip, a main motor for actuating said mechanism, said motor having a rockable stator which swings in proportion to the tension of said strip as the latter is being wound on said drum, and means responsive to the rocking of said stator and including a pilot motor for intermittently changing the speed transmission ratio of said mechanism inversely with the changes in the tension of the strip.

10. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at a predetermined rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent on the tension of the strip, a main motor for actuating said mechanism, said motor having a rockable stator which swings in proportion to the tension of said strip. as the latter is being wound on said drum, and means responsive to the rocking of said stator and including a pilot motor for intermittently changing the speed transmission ratio of said mechanism inversely with the changes in the tension of the strip, said pilot motor being controlled by the changes in load imposed on said main motor due to a change in tension in the strip as it is being Wound on said roll,

11. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at a constant rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a speed dependent on the tension of the strip, a main motor for actuating said mechanism, means including a pilot motor for intermittently changing the power transmission ratio of said mechanism in accordance with relatively small changes in the tension of said strip, means operable by a change in load imposed on the main motor for energizing said pilot motor, said last mentioned means comprising a switch which is adapted to open and close contacts in response to changes of load imposed on said main motor, and means whereby the said electric switch makes and breaks the circuit to said pilot motor in order to control the operation or the pilot motor in accordance with the load imposed on said main motor.

12. An apparatus for winding strip' or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at a predetermined rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent on the tension of the strip, a motor for actuating said mechanism, said motor having a rockable stator which swings in proportion to the tension of said strip as the latter is being wound on said roll, means for intermittently changing the transmission ratio of said mechanism in accordance with relatively small changes in the tension of said strip, and means responsive to the rocking or" said stator for continuously changing the speed transmission ratio of said mechanism in accordance with relatively large changes in the tension of said strip whereby the speed of the roll conforms closely to the tension of the strip regardless of the amount of change in said tension.

13. An apparatus for winding material in strip or wire form onto a roll and delivered thereto at a predetermined rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for ro tating the roll at a rate dependent on the rate of the strip material, a motor for actuating said mechanism, said motor having a rockable stator which swings in proportion to the tension of said strip as the latter is being wound on said roll, and means including a pilot motor and responzive to the rocking of said stator for intermittently changing the speed transmission ratio of said mechanism in accordance with relatively small changes in the tension of said strip, said transmission ratio changing means also includ- Lng a periodic timing device which causes the intermittent energization of said pilot motor whereby the rotational speed of said roll is peri odically changed to the proper speed to maintain the tension in said strip.

14. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at a predetermined rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a speed dependent on the tension of the strip, a motor for actuating said mechanism, said motor having a rockable stator which swings in proportion to the tension of said strip as the latter is being wound on said roll, means including a pilot motor and responsive to the rocking of said stator for changing the speed transmission ratio of said mechanism in accordance with changes in the tension of said strip, said transmission ratio changing means including a timing device for periodically energizing th pilot motor whereby the speed ratio of said transmission means is intermittently adjusted in response to a slight change in the tension in the strip from a predetermined amount, and means for automatically shunting said timing device when the changed tension exceeds said predetermined amount whereby the speed ratio of the power transmission means is continuously adjusted when the changed tension in said strip exceeds said predetermined amount.

15. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at a predetermined rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent on the torque of a main motor having a stator and a rotor, said rotor being mechanically connected to said transmission mechanism, and means including a pilot motor for changing the speed transmission ratio of said mechanism in accordance with changes in the tension of said strip, said means also including a lever system connected at one end to said stator and at the other end to a shaft, saidstator being adapted to be rocked through an-angle dependent on the change of load imposedon the motor due to changed tension at said strip whereby the shaft is correspondingly rocked, contact members mounted on said shaft and adapted to be opened and closed depending on whether the shaft is rocked, and electrical circuit between said contact members and the pilot motor whereby when the stator of the main motor is rocked in accordance with the tension on said strip, the circuit is closed through said contacts to the pilot motor whereby an adjustment of the transmission ratio of said speed transmission mechanism is initiated anda change of speed is effected in the roll in order to maintain an approximate constant tension on the strip.

16. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material on a roll and delivered thereto at a predetermined rate, further apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent on the tension of the strip, a motor having a stator and a main rotor, said rotor being mechanically connected to said transmission mechanism, said stator being adapted to rotate with respect to said rotor, the amount of rotation being determined by the electrical reaction between the rotor and stator as the load on the motor is changed in response to a change in the tension at the strip and means including a pilot motor for changing the speed transmission ratio of said mechanism, said means also including a lever system connected at one end to said stator and at the other end to a shaft which is adapted to be rocked in any direction dependent on the direction in which the stator is rocked in response to changes in the tension of the strip, contact members operatively associated with said shaft, one of said contact members being adapted to be closed when the shaft is rocked in one direction and the other contact member being adapted to be closed when the shaft is rocked in the other direction, electrical circuits between each of said contact members and the pilot motor, said circuits being so arranged that upon closure of one contact member the pilot motor is caused to rotate in one direction and on closure of the other contact member the motor Will rotate in the opposite direction, whereby when the stator is moved in accordance with change of tension on said strip, this movement is transmitted through the lever system and shaft to the contacts, which causes the pilot motor to move in any direction dependent on whether the tension on the strip is increased or decreased, whereby an adjustment in the proper direction is initiated to aifect the power transmission ratio and to give the roll such a speed as will produce the normal tension in the strip material.

17. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll and delivered thereto at an approximate constant rate, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent upon the tension of the strip, said mechanism being actuated by the rotor of a motor which also includes a stator, said stator being mounted on a frame through a rotary bearing and adapted to receive rotational energy from said rotor when the tension on the strip exceeds a predetermined ing means which operates value, gravity-operating means for determining the tension of the strip at which the stator will be rotated, and means actuated by the rotary movement of the stator on its bearing for changing the power transmission ratio of said trans: mission mechanism whereby the speed of the roll is changed to maintain the tension at which the stator rotates.

18. A machine for operating upon strip or wire material and including a plurality of rolls, the material being unwound from one of the rolls of the machine and rewound on another roll of the machine, apparatus for driving one or more of said rolls at a rate dependent upon the tension of the strip and including variable speed transmission mechanism, said mechanism being actuated by a motor, the stator of which is adapted to rotate through an angle dependent on any change of tension in the strip, and means actuated by the rotary movement of said stator for changing the power transmission ratio of said mechanism whereby the speed of the roll is controlled to maintain an approximately uniform tension on the strip.

19. An apparatus for winding strip or wire material onto a roll, the material being delivered thereto at an approximately constant rate of linear speed, said apparatus including a variable speed transmission mechanism for rotating the roll at a rate dependent upon the tension of the strip, said mechanism being actuated by the rotor of a motor which also includes a stator, said stator being mounted on a frame through rotary bearings and adapted to receive increased-or decreased rotational energy from said rotor when the tension of the strip changes from a predetermined amount, and adjustable means for predetermining the tension at which the stator will rotate, means including a contactor actuated by the rotary movement of the stator on its bearings for changing the power transmission ratio of said transmission mechanism whereby the speed of the roll is changed to maintain approximately uniform tension on the strip, said contactor havin an anticipatory manner whereby under certain conditions the increased tension due to the increased roll diameter is anticipated and adjustments to compensate for this anticipatory increased tension.

DARCY E. LEWELLEN. EMMONS F. LEWELLEN. 

